Annual Kolache Fest celebrates Czech heritage

Clay Rainosek, 10, of Hallettsville, looks to the competition as he stuffs his mouth full of Kolache during a Kolache eating contest at the 16th annual Kolache Fest on Saturday at Hallettsville KC Hall. While the festival did feature its namesake baked good, it also brought live music and a parade to Hallettsville this weekend.

18th ANNUAL KOLACHE FEST

Knights of Columbus Hall, Hallettsville

Friday

5-11 p.m. - Arts and crafts

5-8 p.m. - Kolache sales

5-10 p.m. - Hamburgers

6:30 p.m. - "42" Domino warm-up game

7-11p.m. - Los Kolaches

Saturday

Knights of Columbus Hall, Hallettsville

7:45 a.m. - "42" Tournament

8 a.m. - 5K Fun run and walk

8 a.m.-9 p.m. - arts and crafts

8 a.m. - Kolache sales

9 a.m. - Food booths

9 a.m.-noon - Car show registration

10 a.m. - Parade

11 a.m.-2 p.m. - Southern Express

11 a.m.-2 p.m. - Dujka Brothers/Polka Club Dancers

11 a.m. - Kids inflatables

Noon - Kolache demonstration

12:30 p.m. - Car show judging

1 p.m - Stew turn-in

1:30 p.m. - Strudel demonstration

2 p.m. - Kolache eating contest

2-4 p.m. - Red Ravens/Polka Club dancers

2 p.m. - Washer/Horseshoe tourney

2:30 p.m. - Square dancers

3 p.m. - Noodle demonstration

3 p.m. - Stew awards

3:15 p.m. - "Minute To Win It" games

3:30 p.m. - Car show awards

4-7 p.m. - Czechoholics

7-9 p.m. - Acoustic Trio

KOLACHE OR NOT?

In Hallettsville there is no confusion about what a kolache is - a fruit-filled pastry. Czechs traditionally had five popular flavors of kolache: pineapple, apricot, prune, cottage cheese and poppy seed. But the name is often also applied to sausage in a similar bread that resembles a "pig-in-a-blanket." Either is considered correct, just make sure you know what you are ordering.

HALLETTSVILLE - Kolaches and Hallettsville go hand-in-hand.

Or hand-to-mouth, if you will.

The 18th annual Kolache Fest kicks off Friday at the Knights of Columbus Hall as the county seat of Lavaca County celebrates its Czech heritage.

Reggie Brisco, a founding director of the festival in 1994, said in addition to honoring the town's cultural heritage, the festival is also an opportunity for area nonprofit organizations to raise money with food booths during the event.

"The festival gives everyone a chance to do some fundraising and enjoy great food and great music," Brisco said.